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Monday, 19 August 2013

In one of my earlier blog post satan entices people to indulge in drinking and other vice I had discussed about the characteristics and cunning tactics of Satan in an in-depth way. Through this blog I intend to explore one of the tools through which Satan deceives human beings, i.e. addiction.
Before I delve into this topic let me remind the readers about an important truth.

Allah (swt) says in the Holy Quran:
“Surely, Satan is an enemy to you, so take (treat) him as an enemy. He only invites his Hizb (followers) that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire”. (TMQ-35:6).

This verse shows that Satan is an enemy of mankind and so he should be treated as one. Those who dare to follow him in this world will eventually be doomed on the Day of resurrection. On this day Satan will have nothing more to offer to his followers besides the following lame excuse:

“And Satan will say when the matter has been decided: “Verily, Allah promised you a promise of truth. And I promised you too but I betrayed you. I had no authority over you except that I called you, so you responded to me. So blame me not but blame yourselves. I cannot help you nor can you help me. I deny your former act in associating me (Satan) as a partner with Allah (by obeying me in the life of the world. Verily, there is a painful torment for the polytheists, wrong-doers etc”. (TMQ-14:22)

This Quranic verse proves the futility of following Satan and getting enticed by him. Verse 35:6 has pointed out towards the truth that Satan is our adversary. In any kind of conflict it is highly important to know one’s enemy so that one can overpower him. Likewise we should also understand the ways of Satan so that it becomes easier for us to thwart his evil plans. The following Quranic verse describes the evil agenda of Satan:

“Satan wants only to excite enmity and hatred amongst you with intoxicants and gambling and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and As-Salaat. So will you not then abstain? (TMQ-591)

This verse shows that Satan primarily wants to distract us from the remembrance of Allah (swt) by leading us astray. In order to lead us astray Satan uses certain cunning tricks such as enticement and deception. Another trick which is used by Satan for distracting people from remembrance of Allah (swt) is to lead them into addictions or cravings for things which are harmful and thereby, prohibited by Allah (swt).
In the subsequent posts, I shall discuss about the tool of addiction used by Satan to distract mankind from the very purpose of their creation, i.e. worshipping Allah (swt). Inshallah, I shall also offer solutions for getting rid of the addictions if by chance some one has fallen prey to them.

The first thing that comes to our mind when we think of the word addiction is drugs, such as cocaine, heroine etc. Smoking cigarettes, gambling and drinking alcohol are also considered to be different types of addictions.

Before we discuss the various types of addictions let us first try to analyze the meaning of the word addiction. Every addiction is a kind of a habit but every habit cannot be called an addiction. Addictions differ from habits in the sense that the people who get addicted to some vice lose control over them self. They become a slave to the particular addiction to which they succumb. On the other hand, in case of habits they can be changed easily if a person is determined to do so. Giving up an addiction, on the contrary can prove to be quite painful because the addiction takes complete control over the mind and body. So as it happens in the case of any chronic ailment, dealing with addictions also becomes an uphill task. Therefore, an addiction can be defined as an uncontrollable, habitual dependence on something.

Now, as I have mentioned at the beginning of this post, smoking- whether cigarettes or marijuana, drinking alcohol and gambling are some of the major addictions rampant in the society. However, we have oft heard of work addiction, tea addiction, sex addiction, movie addiction, video games addiction, internet addiction, pornography addiction, sleeping pills addiction, books addiction, chatting addiction, food addiction, television addiction, cell phone addiction, shopping addiction, technology addiction, sms addiction, roller coaster addiction, speed addiction to name a few. So we can safely say that some addictions can be more harmful than others.

As the phrase goes, ‘Anything in excess is bad’ so when a simple task of sending sms messages to someone is overdone then not only does it become an addiction but it also leads to hordes of health problems. As opposed to taking drugs, activities such as reading books, knitting or even watching television are totally safe. However, if the same activities are done in excess- to the extent that one becomes forgetful of fulfilling the obligatory duties such as Salaah, then the same activities will be called vicious additions. If a man switches off the television on hearing the adhaan and leaves for the mosque then this may imply that he has a habit of watching television but it does not mean that he is addicted to television. This is because the man has kept his habit under control. He has not allowed his habit to control him. Such a person who knows where to stop can easily defeat Satan’s mission of distracting mankind from remembrance of Allah (swt) by lulling them into addictions.

It is a well known fact that under the influence of liquor a person loses the sense of right and wrong. In other words, the alcoholics lose their conscience and a person without a conscience is like a boat without a sailor. What a better strategy could Satan have adopted than to lull people into the addiction of liquor? A drunkard does things which no sensible person can ever think of doing because liquor hinders his inhibitory center of the brain, which prevents a person from doing acts which they consider to be immoral. So alcohol strikes at the very roots of a person’s conscience thereby making him like a boat without a rudder.

Allah (swt) says in the Holy Quran:“….so, fight against the helpers of Satan with this conviction that Satan’s crafty schemes are in fact very weak”. (TMQ-4:76)

In this verse, the believers are being stopped from getting intimidated by Satan’s cunning ploys because they are very weak and hollow. From the above discussion we can easily deduce the fact that by no means can Satan force anyone into liquor addiction. The only weapon which he possesses is that of Satanic whispers. It is only through such whispers that Satan can try to control our mind and thus actions. In this case, would it not be a pity if we are not able to understand Satan’s plans and thwart them? Surely, it would. After all each one of us has the freedom of choice as far as our actions are concerned. It is up to us whether we choose to listen to our conscience or to the evil enticing thoughts which are deliberately planted into our ears by Satan, in order to lead us astray. The disbelievers try to justify all their misdeeds by presenting baseless arguments. Even in the case of liquor the alcoholics try to highlight several so-called benefits of liquor to justify their misdeeds. Baseless fact such as liquor has medicinal benefits and that it is helpful in keeping one warm in cold climates are oft heard. Let us analyze these to find out the truth.

Dailamah Al-Humairee states, I asked Allah’s Messenger (pbuh), ‘O Messenger of Allah, verily we are in a cold land and we have to work hard therein, and we prepare wine fro this wheat which gives us strength in our works and in the chill of our cities. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) asked, ‘Does it intoxicate? “Yes, I replied. He commanded, “Give it up.” I said, ‘Verily, the people can not give it up”. He said, ‘If they do not give it up then fight with them’. (Abu Dawood)Apparently, a false belief was rampant in the society during those times that liquor could produce warmth in the human body. However, research has proved otherwise. Consuming liquor produces only an illusion of warmth due to the widening of the outer blood vessels. Coming to the next point let us analyze whether liquor does possess any medicinal properties.

Abu Dawood narrated this hadith- “God has made a cure for every illness but never get cure by things prohibited”.Ibn Swaid Al Hadrami came to the Prophet (pbuh) and said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger, in our land we have vineyards and we make wine and drink.” The Prophet (pbuh) said, ‘Stop drinking. The man proclaimed, “We use it as a remedy for the sick”. The Prophet said, ‘It is no remedy. It is an illness itself’. (Narrated by Muslim)

How can something which can cause several types of cancer, cyrrhosis of liver, angina and heart attacks, numerous endocrine disorders, platelet abnormalities, skin diseases, chest infections to name a few, have medicinal benefits at all? Lastly, I would also like to point out that if the liquor addicts readily degrade themselves to the level below that of beasts, then the so-called occasional, light drinkers are no saints either. Let me substantiate my point with the help of a hadith:

Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said, ‘Anything which intoxicates in a large quantity is prohibited even in small amounts”.(Sunan Ibn I Majah, vol:3, Book of Intoxicants, chapter 30, hadith number 3392).

Before I wind up this post, I would like to draw the attention of the readers towards the drastic consequence of alcohol addiction in the hereafter.Abu Musa Al-Asharee narrated that Allah’s Apostle said, ‘There are three who will not enter paradise- a habitual drunkard, one who cuts blood ties and one who believes in black magic. (Ahmad).

Gambling was rampant during the Jahilliyah period and unfortunately even in the present era it is prevalent in various forms. Let us analyze gambling in the light of the Holy Quran.

Gambling has been described as Satan’s handiwork in the Holy Quran.

Allah (swt) says in Surah Ql-Ma’idah-‘O you who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, Al-Ansab and Al-Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful. (TMQ- 5:90)

In this verse Allah (swt) has Commanded mankind to steer clear of gambling (and intoxicants) if they wished to succeed. Gambling is surely destructive and once a person gets addicted to it then he will not mind using his wife also as a stake. There have been a plethora of cases wherein after blowing all their money, the compulsive gamblers stooped low enough to use their wife as a stake. This simply shows that gambling is a disgusting addiction which can leave behind a trail of destruction. The addiction of gambling also goes hand in hand with other vices such as alcoholism and crime.

The next verse of the Holy Quran, i.e. 5:91 reveals about the evil plan of Satan.

“Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?” (TMQ-5:91)

In this verse Satan stands exposed. This verse highlights three reasons why Satan tries to entice mankind into the addiction of gambling.Satan wants to create enmity amongst people so that he can destroy world peace. Satan aims to distract mankind from the worship of their Creator.Satan wants to avert people from As-Salaah.

With this agenda on his mind Satan tries to lure people towards the vice of gambling by trying to make this sin seem to be very appealing, lucrative and a fun-filled activity. The aftermaths of gambling are quite common. I shall list some of them here to show how Satan lays down a trap to fool people:

Since the gamblers are mostly alcoholics so they indulge in physical violence and break law often.Gambling can cause depression and mental stress which affects family life, thereby leading to domestic violence and divorce.Gambling addiction is a vicious circle which can bring about bankruptcy, employment problems and monetary setbacks.

Now it is up to us whether we hold fast to the Quranic teachings and understand the aftermaths of gambling or whether we succumb to the cunning ploy of Satan, who is the deadliest enemy of mankind.

Sex and porn addiction are amongst the major problems rampant in the present era. What was restricted to only some sleazy magazines till a few decades ago has now splashed all over the internet and has become easily accessible. Unfortunately, youngsters have also got hooked on to this vice, apart from some married men, thereby creating a furor in the society. This type of addiction can lead to strained family relationships, thereby, weakening the moral fabric of any society.

Ironically, there are certain groups within the society who do not look down upon at porn. In fact, they find it to be a useful tool in more than one way. According to some of them watching porn actually helps certain men to decide whether there are gay or straight. Some others opine that watching porn helps married people to spice up their sex life and so on and so forth.

Unfortunately, the problem of porn addiction gives does not stop here. Rather it snowballs into many other problems such as:Youngsters indulging in high risk sexSexual violence such as molestation, child molestation and rape

This was a general description of this topic. Now let us broach the topic in the light of Islam.What has been termed as sex addiction is tantamount to a major sin or Gunah-e-Kabira in Islam. Both fornication and adultery are crimes which call for a severe punishment in Islam. The arguments which are being given in order to show that watching porn is healthy and beneficial are uncalled for. According to Islam, watching porn is tantamount to committing adultery or zina of the eyes.

Here is a hadith which throws light on this matter:“It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said, ‘Allah has decreed for every son of Adam his share of zina which he will inevitably commit The zina of the eye is looking, the zina of the tongue is speaking, one may wish and desire and the private parts conform or deny it. (Al-Bukhari-5889).

So when merely watching porn is tantamount to committing zina of the eyes then one can imagine how bigger a sin would be to indulge in illicit sex.

Allah (swt) says in the Holy Quran:“And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is an immorality and is as evil as a way”. (TMQ-17:32)

The following ahadith also reverberate the same idea:

“Whoever guarantees me (the chastity of) what is between his legs (i.e. his private parts) and what is between his jaw (i.e. his tongue), I guarantee him Paradise” (Sahih Bukhari) The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, ‘No adulterer is a believer at the time when he is committing adultery”. Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim) It was related that Prophet Mohammad (pbuh0 said, ‘Whoever fornicates or drinks wine, Allah takes off his faith from him as a man takes a shirt off his head”. (Hakim)

So a person who dares to indulge in the lewd act of illicit sex or gets addicted to illicit sex is stripping himself of his Faith. This is precisely what Satan wants to happen. So he who gets hooked on to the lewd addictions, such as porn or illicit sex, has actually lost the battle to his deadliest enemy, namely Satan.

The topic of tobacco addiction does not find a direct mention in the Holy Quran or the ahadith. Topics such as life insurance and credit cards are also not directly mentioned in the Islamic religious texts. However, we know that when the lift is out of order people have to use stairs. Likewise, when a particular topic is not mentioned in the Holy Quran directly we need to make efforts through research and analysis so that we can reach a perfect solution, in the light of Islam.

Scientific research has proved that a long term use of nicotine, (which is a chemical found in tobacco) can be addictive like morphine, cocaine and alcohol. Besides the addiction factor, the nicotine can also affect the body in numerous other ways such as:Increasing the blood pressureCausing nausea and diarrheaDecreasing the appetiteCreates more phlegm

There are thousands of other chemicals found in tobacco also. A group of such chemicals named tar can cause lung cancer, bronchial ailments and emphysema. Moreover, tobacco has been also linked to cataracts and leukemia. Smoking causes discoloration of the teeth and affects the sense of taste and smell. Smoking can also harm the non-smokers through inhalation of the secondhand smoke, which is a poisonous and unfiltered waste that emanates from cigars, cigarettes or pipes. In other words, a smoker does not only harm himself but also those around him. Infants who are exposed to such secondhand smoke are prone to severe asthma, sudden infant death syndrome and severe respiratory infections. Last but not the least when the smokers drop lit cigarettes, by chance, it causes hundreds of deaths through fire accidents.

After having enumerated the harms caused by tobacco addiction let us now analyze this topic in the light of Islam.Allah says in the Holy Quran: ‘..make not your hands contribute to your destruction..”(TMQ-2:195)

Allah says in the Holy Quran that the Prophet (pbuh) ‘enjoins upon them that which is good and pure and forbids them that which is unwholesome’. (TMQ-7:157)

Allah’s Apostle (pbuh) is reported to have said, ‘Do not harm yourself or others”. (Hadith)

The Prophet (pbuh) said, ‘Whoever has eaten from such greens as garlic, onions or leek should keep away from our mosque’.

Since the unwholesome nature and the destructive effects of tobacco addiction (on the smoker as well as on others around him) are out in the open and so is the fact that cigarette smoke smells bad, therefore, it can be deduced from the above mentioned Quranic verses and ahadith that tobacco usage is against the teachings of Islam. This is just another plot of Satan to harm mankind.

In one of my earlier blogs: HYPERLINK "http://www.shaitankihakikat.com/2010/05/shaitan-insan-ko-sharab-jowa-or-dosare.html" http://www.shaitankihakikat.com/2010/05/shaitan-insan-ko-sharab-jowa-or-dosare.html I have shown how Satan entices people into smoking cigarettes and soon enough, Satan succeeds in making people hooked on to this vice. Those who are not aware of Satan’s cunning tactics and his evil agenda, easily fall into his trap, oblivious of the fact that they are making a rod for their own back.

If somehow a tobacco addict makes up his mind to give up smoking then withdrawal symptoms such as depression, headaches, frustration, tension to name a few become visible within a few hours. At this point the need of replacement therapies such as patches, gum and inhalers arise for alleviating the effects of withdrawal.However, if a person has a strong will power and if he has not become a serious tobacco addict only then can he avail all these replacement therapies. This is because Satan, who plays an active role in making a person an addict in the first place, will definitely leave no stones unturned in making his victim a lifelong addict.

In my previous posts, I have discussed about tobacco and liquor addictions. In the light of the Holy Quran and ahadith we have seen how these two substances are very harmful and therefore, strictly prohibited in Islam.

According to experts, alcohol is so harmful that it should belong to the category of class A drugs. Moreover it has also been discovered through scientific research that it would not be wrong to group tobacco and alcohol in the same category such as cocaine and heroine because of their extremely harmful nature. So we find that potentially dangerous substances such as drugs, alcohol and tobacco are all addictive, harmful and intoxicating. Therefore, although drugs or drug abuse do not find a direct mention in the Holy Quran yet it would not be difficult to prove that they are unlawful in Islam, just like liquor.

Here are two ahadith which show that drugs fall into the category of intoxicants, which have been forbidden in Islam.

Umme Salmah narrates that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) prohibited every intoxicant and Mufattir (anything which excites and irritates the mind body and heart. (Abu Dawood)

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) says, Allah has forbidden Khamr and every intoxicant is unlawful’. (Hasan)

Since most of us have often heard of cocaine intoxication, marijuana intoxication, cannabis intoxication etc. therefore, we can deduce from the above mentioned hadith that drugs fall under the category of Khamr and intoxicants, which have been strictly prohibited by Allah (swt) and His Messenger (pbuh).

Moreover, Allah (swt) says in the Holy Quran:

‘O ye who believe! Approach not prayers with a mind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say..” (TMQ-4:43).

Many people who have fallen into this Satanic trap of alcohol, tobacco and drugs claim that they indulge in such vices mainly to befog their mind and to escape from their problems. This proves that drugs befog one’s mind. Those with befogged minds have been prohibited from offering As-Salaah, according to the verse 4:43. Likewise Allah (swt) does not accept the prayers of those who drink alcohol till 40 days. It is only when such people repent that Allah (swt) forgives them.

Satan misguides the weak amongst us in order to distract us from the remembrance of Allah (swt), which is the sole purpose of our existence. It is quite difficult for us to imagine a drug addict who offers Salaah 5 times daily. This is because one who obeys Satan can never obey Allah (swt) and vice versa. Satan fools the weak amongst us into believing that they can escape from their tensions, worries etc by befogging their mind though drugs. This is an escapist approach which Satan tries to instill into human beings. Nobody has ever been able to escape from their problems permanently by taking drugs because the effects of such intoxicating drugs are only temporary. It is a proven fact that it is Salaat which is the most effective tool for reducing stress, tension and brain disorders.

Assalam oalaikum,If we look at addictions from the medical point of view we find that they include psychoactive substances which change the chemical balance of the brain temporarily such as tobacco, some drugs and alcohol. Besides this, psychological dependency on gambling, internet, sex, porn, games etc can also be included amongst addictions because they also produce feelings of shame and guilt. However, if we analyze addictions in the light of Islam then we find that they simply refer to any thing which distracts one’s mind from remembrance of Allah (swt) and As-Salaah. So addictions vary between the potentially harmful ones (such as drugs, intoxicants and gambling) and the less threatening ones (such as games, television, facebook etc). The degree of addiction also varies between people. Let us take the example of a person who has the habit of playing video games but on hearing the adhaan he always winds up his game, no matter whether he was at a very crucial point. Such a man will not be called a video game addict rather it can be said that he is fond of playing video games or he has a habit of playing video games. This is because such a person has not allowed his habit to control him and neither has he allowed his habit to affect his supplications. In order to get rid of addictions, first and foremost, it is necessary for us to strengthen and refresh our faith in Allah (swt). The further that we move away from Allah (swt)’s remembrance the more easily will we fall into the Satanic trap of addictions.

Prophet Mohammad (saw) said, ‘Faith wears out in the heart of any one of you just clothes wear out, so ask Allah to renew the faith in your hearts. ‘(Mustadrak al-Hakim). Insinuating.Prophet Mohammad (saw) said, ‘None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself.’ (Sahih Bukhari-Book of belief)Prophet Mohammad (saw) said, ‘None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind’. (Sahih Bukhari-Book of belief)

Once our faith in Allah (swt) gets revived through His remembrance then we should try to understand the agenda and the cunning plans of our deadliest enemy, i.e. Satan which will help us in overpowering him easily. Satan’s weapon is his whispering through which he can lead people astray by enticing them to do evil deeds. If a person’s faith in Allah (swt) is unflinching then he will never pay attention to the Satanic whispers.Besides this, there are several supplications from the Holy Quran by reading which we can seek Allah (swt)’s refuge from Satan. For example: Surah Falaq, Surah Naas, 23:97 and 16:98-16:100.

By following the simple formula of refreshing our faith in Allah (swt) and by seeking Allah (swt)’s protection from Satan, we can overcome our addictions, sooner or later.

So far I have discussed about the meaning and the various types of addictions. Generally speaking, there seem to be several apparent reasons why people tend to get addicted. However, if we analyze this topic in the light of Islam, we will definitely zero in on the single and main cause behind addictions, i.e. Satan. Yes, Satan is the mastermind behind every evil happening which takes place in this world, including addictions.

Allah (swt) says in the Holy Quran:

“Satan wants only to excite enmity and hatred amongst you with intoxicants and gambling and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and As-Salaat. So will you not then abstain? (TMQ-591)

It is Satan who is responsible for turning normal people into incorrigible addicts. Now the question arises that how can we protect ourselves from Satanic addictions.

As I have discussed in my previous post, we need to keep our faith in Allah (swt) intact all the time by remembering Him and by fulfilling our religious obligations. A mind which is focused on Allah (swt) can never be lead astray from the right path by Satan.

Satan usually takes advantage of our weaknesses and he attacks on our weak spots. So we should be quite vigilant in order to prevent him from befooling us and tricking us. For example, a man who might have made several unsuccessful attempts to get a good job might be feeling frustrated and depressed. He might have prayed a lot but still he could not succeed in getting a good job. Such a person might have been put to test by Allah (swt) to see whether he remains patient and steadfast during his ordeal. However, Satan, who is an enemy of the mankind, will try to take advantage of such a person’s weak state by whispering into his ears- ‘Alas! All your prayers have gone unanswered and your Lord has turned you into a laughing stock amongst your peers. Why do you bear so much gloom and humiliation, silently? You can escape from this bitter situation by taking a peg of wine or by inhaling drugs. You will feel much better and relaxed. So go on and try it.’ In case this unsuccessful man has a strong will power or else if he understands the tactics of Satan, then he will ignore the Satanic whispers. However, if the man is so frustrated, weak and depressed that he cannot distinguish between right and wrong then there are ample chances that he will go astray. Once Satan succeeds in misguiding the person then getting that person hooked on to an addiction will be a cakewalk for Satan. Therefore, whenever we feel blue we should remember that Satan is always on the prowl. He is on the lookout for those who are vulnerable amongst us so that he can pounce on us and instigate us against our Creator.

Allah (swt) says in the Holy Quran:‘Verily, those who are pious, when an evil thought comes to them from Satan, they remember Allah and at once they have insight’. (TMQ-7:201).

So those who are intelligent enough to understand Satan’s clever plans can easily avert his attacks. But what about those who have already been pulled neck deep into Satan’s quicksand? Addictions, like ailments also tend to become severe over time. If a person has turned into an addict, this implies that Satan has gained control over his mind, totally. Such a person is like a man who is getting drowned but who does not know how to swim. Such a person does not understand the tactics of Satan, nor does he have enough strength to overcome his addiction. Just like a critically ill patient needs immediate medical help in order to survive likewise a severely addicted person also needs spiritual healing.A spiritual healer can do wonders in curing even the severely addicted people by utilizing their spiritual powers. So if a person feels that he is unable to overcome his addiction problem then it is the right time for him to seek spiritual help. Medical treatment can help an addict to some extent only. This is because the underlying cause of all addictions is Satan and only a spiritual healer is adept in averting Satan through amulets with Quranic verses and amals.

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